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In lugnet.trains, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
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Hey all,
Over the past 3 weeks or so I have been talking with Kadee quality products
about the possibilities of making fully functional Magne-Matic couplers for
Lego trains. They have kindly asked me to gather some data from you concerning
this possibility so I have made a questioner for you to fill out. This is an
amazing opportunity to further our hobby so be honest and detailed in your
answers.
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I guess there really isn’t anything
new under the sun....
I wonder if the guys at Kadee are having deja-vu all over again. I pitched this
idea to them about 4 years ago, and even went so far as sending them LEGO
motors, trucks, couplers, and an assortment of bricks with which to experiment.
I even brought the results Kadee send back to me to BricksWest 2002 and showed
them to Brad Justus, the head of LEGO Direct at the time. Nothing much came of
the idea.
The fact is that one can use Kadee couplers right now and very easily by
simply using a small nut and bolt attaching to
this element. That pretty much was
Kadee’s solution 4 years ago.
At the time, I thought that a joint venture between Kadee and TLG would have
been the best solution, with Kadee creating a pin connection as a part of their
coupler made especially for TLG, so that the coupler could be considered
“LEGO” or “TLG endorsed”.
The bottom line is that Kadee couplers are non-LEGO. If one uses non-LEGO
couplers, why not non-LEGO trucks? Track? This may seem like a good idea to
the hardcore LEGO train fan, but might come off as a bit too impure to the GP.
I came away with the notion that, if TLG wasn’t somehow on board with the idea,
it would never take off. And even I, who was SO passionate about the idea years
ago, never even bothered to use Kadee couplers. I use rare-earth magnets with
LEGO magnets instead, and they work great. Because I’m not holding my breath
that TLG will choose to make any significant investment in the 9 volt line.
JOHN
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> I came away with the notion that, if TLG wasn't somehow on board with the
> idea,
> it would never take off. And even I, who was SO passionate about the idea
> years
> ago, never even bothered to use Kadee couplers. I use rare-earth magnets
> with
> LEGO magnets instead, and they work great. Because I'm not holding my
> breath
> that TLG will choose to make {any} significant investment in the 9 volt
> line.
>
> [JOHN]
Amen.
When LEGO decides to "invest" again in 9volt and maybe make new tracks,
etc., I'll start regaining some interest. Until then, I'm persuing other
themes of interest with more passion that trains.
SPACE!
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In lugnet.trains, Rob Hendrix wrote:
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Amen.
When LEGO decides to “invest” again in 9volt and maybe make new tracks,
etc., I’ll start regaining some interest. Until then, I’m persuing other
themes of interest with more passion that trains.
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*****!
(Where is a moderator when you need one?)
>:^D
JOHN
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In lugnet.trains, Rob Hendrix wrote:
> > I came away with the notion that, if TLG wasn't somehow on board with the
> > idea,
> > it would never take off. And even I, who was SO passionate about the idea
> > years
> > ago, never even bothered to use Kadee couplers. I use rare-earth magnets
> > with
> > LEGO magnets instead, and they work great. Because I'm not holding my
> > breath
> > that TLG will choose to make {any} significant investment in the 9 volt
> > line.
> >
> > [JOHN]
>
> Amen.
>
> When LEGO decides to "invest" again in 9volt and maybe make new tracks,
> etc., I'll start regaining some interest. Until then, I'm persuing other
> themes of interest with more passion that trains.
>
> SPACE!
I feel similarly to these sentiments. I have 8mm scale trains that work OK with
the 9V system and have worked OK with the 12V system, which had better
functionality. I'm taking a break from exhibiting the 9V layouts in order to
pursue new ideas, including an 8mm scale London Underground train for the 12V
system (more appropriate as it has conductor rails). I could equal the above
rebellion by adding PNEUMATIC ROBOTS! :-) I also want to have more time for
building the Lego community here in the UK, as my layouts were born from 9 years
of going it alone in 8mm scale and I have now found others on the planet with
the same interest!
I have about 18 engines and over 30 wagons, so I would need at least 50 coupling
sets. I'm not about to spend $250 on new couplings, especially because I run a
lot of permanent wagon rakes with technic 5L liftarms instead of magnetic
couplings. This is to improve reliability by reducing the risk of wagons
getting dropped and the train crashing into them the next time it comes round
the circuit!
Regarding investments in the 9V system, I hear rumours about a development of
the train system for next year, but I'm not optimistic yet. I'll have to see
firstly if there is anything new, then if it's compatible with the way I use the
existing 9V track. For example, I couldn't use big chunky point motors due to
loading gauge restrictions. Neither could I use any extension of the electrical
system other than a current boost, since I already use a dual 3 Amp power supply
instead. I also think 56-stud radius curves would be a waste of space unless
half and quarter straights were also available. I'm also sceptical about any
automation of the system. Signals with isolating tracks (using the 12V system
ideas with 9V track pieces and standard feed wires) would be more interesting
though.
At the moment I draw my line of purity at the feed wires. Beyond that, the
electrics are fair game because a 9V controller doesn't give me enough current
for 4 motors. I don't want to use any non-Lego parts on the trains though
(except BBB wheels, sadly another area of TLG under-investment). I think these
couplers will have no closer relationship with TLG than BBB wheels do. I think
the wheels are more easily compatible with making up trains of vehicles from
several people - new couplers would require another standard when we already
have plenty of standards!
Mark
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In lugnet.trains, Rob Hendrix wrote:
> > I came away with the notion that, if TLG wasn't somehow on board with the
> > idea,
> > it would never take off. And even I, who was SO passionate about the idea
> > years
> > ago, never even bothered to use Kadee couplers. I use rare-earth magnets
> > with
> > LEGO magnets instead, and they work great. Because I'm not holding my
> > breath
> > that TLG will choose to make {any} significant investment in the 9 volt
> > line.
> >
> > [JOHN]
>
> Amen.
>
> When LEGO decides to "invest" again in 9volt and maybe make new tracks,
> etc., I'll start regaining some interest. Until then, I'm persuing other
> themes of interest with more passion that trains.
The idea of Kadee couplers for Lego trains is a fantastic idea. This the only
short coming of Lego trains. You can't shunt them. I've ben trying
unsuccessfully to design a alternate coupler from Lego parts but no luck. I
would equip every piece of Lego train equipment I have with Kadess if possible.
I hope that if the Kadee makes them they make them available through local hobby
shops and not just through Lego Shop at Home
> SPACE!
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